The success of strips like Cathy is somewhat indicative of the capricious nature of the comic strip industry. Ms. Guisewite was not particularly talented as an artist by any stretch of the imagination, nor was there much variety in the strips content. She just happened to be at the right place at the right time and managed to edge out the hundreds of other candidates for the editor's attention.
Being in 700 papers is a tremendous feat for a comic strip. Generally speaking, when you reach 100 papers, you've got it made. I know I labored for years to get my own comic, Working Daze, above that magic number - but it wouldn't budge. After a while, I realized that I was drawing 6 comics a week for a fraction of minimum wage. That's when I decided to direct my talents elsewhere.
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